Alberto Bettiol "disappointed, but happy" happy just barely missing out on Tour de France victory
Cycling
Alberto Bettiol was an outsider for today's hilly stage in the Tour de France, however he got beaten by Michael Matthews after a tight and dramatic battle on the slopes of the Côte de la Croix Neuve in Mende.
“It took a lot of energy to get into the leading group. Sometimes you sit on the bike for five hours and lose the victory in a few seconds," Bettiol told reporters at the line in the Mende aerodrome. The heavily disputed breakaway saw him and teammates Rigoberto Urán and Neilson Powless join the front group. The Italian was perhaps the lesser quality climber out of those, however was by far EF Education-EasyPost's strongest card on the day.
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“He [Matthews] did exactly what I did a few days ago, and he made it. On the climb to the finish a few days ago, I didn't make it when it started 52 kilometers before the finish," Bettiol said. When the moves started the American team had to be one of the lineups chasing in the group behind, with Bettiol himself putting in some digs in the penultimate climb to try and reduce the gap.
He seemed to be working in the group towards Urán's chances, however as soon as the final climb started he went off the front of the group and was the only rider who managed to bridge across to Michael Matthews.
“I came to him two kilometers before the end. I personally didn't think he had the legs to ride me off. But I heard in my ear that my team leader said: 'Try to unload him'. Just like I did in the Giro once, with Cavagna [in 2021, stage 18]," he said. "But I came across a very strong Matthews. He deserved it, I must say that again. I also have to thank Rigo, Neilson and the whole team for giving me the opportunity.”
“I think Matthews deserves this win, but I promised everyone – especially everyone in the team, including the staff – that I would make a big effort to get us another win. I am disappointed for myself, for them, for the people who believe in me. But the Tour isn't over yet and I'm going to try again... I am disappointed, but happy," he concluded.
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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🇮🇹 @AlbertoBettiol attacks 🇦🇺 @blingmatthews but can't quit distance him! 🇮🇹 @AlbertoBettiol attaque 🇦🇺 @blingmatthews, mais a du mal à le distancer ! #TDF2022
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